"This was a surprise, this was something unexpected and surprising. I think it's an important event in the industry," said Frederico Curado in an interview Thursday at the Farnborough International Air Show. "We're not going to win everything. But it's a new event and does not really change what we're doing."

Embraer plans to put new engines and a new wing on its E-Jet family, which spans four models seating 70 to 120 passengers. Mr. Curado also said Embraer had ruled out a carbon fiber composite wing for the new family, opting for a metallic wing, which is due to enter service in 2018. Mr. Curado added that a decision hadn't been made on what type of metallic alloy to use.

Mr. Curado said the benefit of such carbon fiber composite technology is only seen on larger twin-aisle aircraft where longer flights are able to take advantage of the weight reduction offered by the new materials. Embraer's aircraft fly, on average, 400 to 600 miles a flight, said Mr. Curado.

As of the end of June, Embraer's backlog stood at 200 aircraft, with options for 596 E-Jets.

"We see the best opportunity for Embraer to shore up the backlog as replacement orders from major U.S. legacy carriers," said J.P. Morgan aerospace analyst Joe Nadol in a research note.

"Our strategy is to seize the opportunity with the existing [Embraer] 175," said Mr. Curado about upcoming aircraft purchasing decisions in the U.S., which include contests with Delta Air Lines Inc.
DAL, +0.84%

Both Japanese Mitsubishi and Brazilian Embraer see the U.S. as the largest market for their regional jet products.

Mr. Curado said the visibility on the next five years of orders in the U.S. remains unclear, with so many outstanding competitions to replace aging aircraft and grow regional jet fleets.

Mitsubishi Aircraft President Hideo Egawa said in an interview the delivery of the 100 aircraft to SkyWest will begin in 2017 and stretch to 2020 as the Japanese plane-maker reaches five deliveries a month.

Mr. Egawa said the order, which has been agreed to in principle with SkyWest, is expected to be firmed up in the coming weeks with the approvals of both company's boards.

The MRJ90, the company's first model, is expected to fly in the fourth quarter of 2013 and enter service with Japan's All Nippon Airways in 2014.

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